Device for controlling shock.



C. B. BILLINGHURST. DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING SHOCK. APPLICATION FILEDwhen. 1915.

1,216,931. 1 Patented Feb. 20, 1917.

" SHEETS-SHEET I.

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A non/451s WITNESSES:

C. B. BILLINGHURST.

ozvrcz run CONTROLLING SHO'CK. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 21, 1915.

1216,931. Patented Feb. 20,1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

65 7 7 mmvron aw/ 10" A. fizz/mawa isz A TTORNE Y8 ciIAnLEs B.BILLINGHURST,

OF PIERRE, SOUTH DAKOTA.

DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING SHOCK.

Application filedl'une 21, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

lie. it known that I, Cnaauzs B. BILLING- nt'ns'r, a citizen of theUnited States, and a resident of Pierre. in the county of Hughes andState of South Dakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin.

Devices for Controlling Shock, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention is an improvement in devices for controllingshock, and theinvention has for its objectto provide mechanism for use in connectionwith motor vehicles, of ever character, for absorbing shock and 1jarresulting from the movement of the vehicle over the road, wherein animproved form of hanger connection is provided for interposition betweenthe bod and the frame of. thevel'iicle, or between the frame and theaxles of the vehicle.

In. the drawings. Figure 1 is a top plan view of 'an automobile providedwith the improved device; Fig. '2 isan enlarged section on the line 2- 2of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of j the arrows adja ent to thehneg.

i Fig. 3 isa side viewwith parts in sec tion, of a modifiedconstruction;

Fig. lis a partial end view, of another modified ronstri'lction;

Fig. '5 is a rear view, partly in section, of another embodiment o1 myinvention;

Figs. 6 and 7 are front views of other embodiments of the invention, and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2, showing a 'moditied formof abutment, and

Figs. 9, lUand 11 are detail views, showing various methods of providingfor adjuslinentot"the'strap hangers.

In the presentembodmient otthe invention. the nnproi'ed. hanger isespecially designed. for use in connection with the subject matter. ofmy co-pending application,-

Serial No. 861.045, tiled Septt-mber 10, 191+, for supporting the outermember or frame of the chassis of the vehicle, that is, for connectingihesaid outer member and the frame with the axles ofthe vehicle, or withthe springsarranged between the axles and the saidotiter me'n'iber orframe.

As in. the said priorapplication, inner and outer fraiiies 1 and 2 areprovided,- the .frames being open rectangular fram'es am.l

the inner framebeingof 'such size that it ma fitj-loosel within theouter frame.

The i ii-t-ierfframe is connected with the body Specification of LettersPatent.

of thevehicle and the outer frame is supported by the axles. The framesare m channel material, as shown in Fig. 2, with the channel arrangedinwardly for the inner frame andoutwardly for the outer frame. A pair ofresilient tanks or reservoirs of cylindrical form are supported by theouter frame in any suitable or desiredmamier, and a cylindrical" hit orreservoir 4 of rigid material is arranged between the tanksor reservoirs3, the said receptacles being spaced apart to receive the tank orreservoir 4 between them.

The tank or reservoir 4 is supplied with fluid under pressure from asuitable source, the fluid under pressure being admitted by way. of aninlet pipe 5, and the said tank or reservoir 4 is connected to thereservoirs 3 by afiexible connection (3, so that the'pressure in thesaid reservoirs 3 is the same as that in the reservoir 4. The innerframe 1 rests upon the reservoirs 3, the said frame having saddles Tsecured thereto, which engage the -1'eser\'oirs 3 near the endsthereof." The reservoirs are of flexible and elastic material, as. forinstance, rubber and can vas, such as is used in the manufacture ofpneumatic tire shoes, and the connections 6 are always oien so that thefluid under pressure may ow freely from the central to the lateral tanksor reservoirs.

A check valve is arranged inthe inlet pipe to prevent the return of theair from the tank 4 and it will beevident that any shock or jarim mrtedt o'the outer frame 2 will be absorbed by the resilient connectionbetween the two frames, so that 8 of felt or like material arrangedassltown in Figs. 1 and 2. or thebufl'ers my be balls 9 of rubber oithedike, as shown in Fi 8. The sheets 8 of felt are conned-mg wittheouter frame, and they are arranged at the sides and ends'of the frame..The balls l) are seated in recesses 10 and 11, respec- ',ti'vel v, inthe inner and outer frames 121ml *-'l3,- the recesses being arranged inregister, so that each ball is partly in-the reason! oneframe-andpartlyin the ofitho other.

It will be evident that while the sheets of-felt or rubber balls willpermit the frames to move vertically slightly with respect to each othersuiiicient to cushion any shock or jar,.yet they will prevent anyclashing of the frames with each other.

the frame 3 in Fig. 1, is connected to thefront axle .15 and the.housings 16 of the rear axle IT. by means of leaf or laminated springs18 of curved form. and strap hangers l.) of leather or the like.

The springs 18 are connected to the front.

axle 15 by bolts and nuts 20, and to the housing of the rear axle bybolts and nuts 21. Ateach axle the large end of the spring is arrangedbeneath the axle, and at the front axle the bolts are passed directlythrough the. end of the spring and through the flanges at the bottom ofthe axle, and are engaged by the nuts above the flanges.

At the rear axle, clamping plates 22 are arranged a bove. and below thehousing of the axle, and the bolts are passed through the large end ofthe. spring, and through the. clamping plates and are engaged by thenuts abovethe u mermost plate. In either case, one end of the spring isrigidly connected to the axleor to the housing, andthe springs may be ofany desired number of leaves, and size of leaf,-the size and numberdepending upon the weight to be supported by the spring.

The springs taper. slightly from the axle toward their outer ends, andthe strap hangers 19 are arranged between the outer or upper ends of thesprings and the outer frame, H. The hangers are. connected to I theframe by boltsand nuts 23, and they are connected to the springs byhinge connec- 'tions 24. 'As showin the springs arch outwardly andupwardly and slightly inwardly to their connection with the outer endsof the.- straphangers, and the outer frame is thus supported orsuspended above the axles.

Preferably the frame is braced against the front axle and the housing ofthe rear axle by braces the said braces being connected at one end tothe frame at each slde'thereof, and at the other end to the axle' orhousing, as the case maybe. The braces are to limit the relativemovement of the, frames with respect to 'the axle, and to prevent theoutward movement of the axles beyond the ends of the frame. I

In Fig. 4, the housing 26 ofthe'rear axle, and the front axle (notshown) are provided with integral hanger arms 27, the said armsextending up\ ardly from near the wheels 28 and curving inwardly toapoint above and to the inner side of the connection between the arms andthe housing. The body 29 of the vehicle is provided with semiellipticalleaf springs 30, which are secured to the body at the center thereof byU-shaped clips d1 andthe strap hangers 3-2. are arranged between thearms 27 and the ends of the. springs.

As shown in Fig. l, each strap hanger IS in the form of a loop havingeyes at the ends, one of which engages the arms 27, .and the other theend of the sprin Intermediate the eyes, the portions of the strap aresecured together by rivets 33. The inner upper ends of the arms arespaced far enough inwardly beyond the lower outer ends; to permit freeexpanding movement of the spring, and the ends of the. spring aresupported for swinging movement by the hangers.

It will be evident that when downward movement of the body occurs, thespring 30 will flatten, the ends moving outward whilethe central portionmoves downward.

In .l ig. 5, elliptical leaf springs 3i are arranged between the outerframe and the housing 36 of the ma axle. Each spring rests at its underside on a seat on the housis supported by the frame which is providedwith depending standards or sockets 39.

A swinging bolster 40 is connected to the. side members of the frame bystrap hangers to be described. The said bolster is provided near eachend with a pair of upstanding arms or brackets 41. These arms have eyesin their upper ends, and the eyes of *ach pair of arms are connected bya strap 42 o; llexible material, as for instance, leather. The ends ofthe straps 42 have eyes 43 or loops which engage the eyes of the arms41, and a hollow ball or sphere ii is arrangerl between each strap 42and the adjacent socket 39. The balls or spheres H are of the samematerialas the tanks or reservoirs 3 before mentioned, and they maycontain fluid under pressure if desired.

The straps 42 are of such length that th 3 mg. and thenpper side issecured to the irame as shown. The body 37 0f the vehicle centralportion thereof will depend almost to the upper face of the swingingbolster, and the said upper face of the bolster is recessed as indicatedin dotted lines. "be lower end of each socket 39 is recessed to receivethe adjacent ball or sphere, and the .body is thus supported by theballs or spheres.

Each of the strap hangers 45 is of leather or like material doubled uponitself to form an eye at each-end, and one eye of each hanger engages atransverse pin 46 at the adjacent end of the swinging bolster. The othereye of eachhanger engages an opening in one end of an angle bracket 48which is securedtothe adjacent side of the frame portions qfthe straptogether at the innei"v sides of the eyes.

In the above construction, the swinging holster may movelongitudinally,swingingon the strap hangers 45, and it will be hoticed that the bolsteris supported at approximately the center of the elliptical springs. sothat the said springs do not in tertere with the swingin movement. ofthebolster. The body" is cus lioned against the bolster by the balls 44'and the frame 35' is cushioned. against the front axle and the housingof the rear axle by the elliptical springs 34. The frame corresponds tothe outer frame of ET .fl, while the swinging holster l0; eo'rrespon'ito theinnerjfrani'ei This bolster may be conneeted by 7 sideii'ien'iliers ifdesired: to form a re'etahgii- 'larjra' ne. r In 'Fig.(3 the front axle 49 liaving the spindles- 0 pivoted to the endsthereof, is proi'ided on theiinner sides of the spindles \ritlr 'u1 )standin i standards 5.1. Each" of these standards 51 is provided at itsupper, 25 end withan'inwardly' ofl'set ey'e and a swinging bolster isarranged just above the axle. The swinging bolster is connected to thestandards 5,1 by strap hanger-s54, and the braille-55, eorres 'iondingto' the frame .1 'of Fig. 1 is eoniietedto tlie' b'olster'by means ofsend-elliptical leaf springs {i6 and strap hangers 57. t v The springs56 areset-ured to the frame transi'ersel y'thereof and at or'near theiendsi and each straph inger 571s bonnet-ted at one [end to the adjacentendof. the spring 56. The other end of each hanger 57 engages aninwardlyofiset-eye 58 of a standardor u priglit'ii!) extendingupwardlyfrom the ad a-i cent end of the holster Tlieistrap hanger's SQ'anH hTaresiihilar and arelsiini'lar" to the stra" hanger of Fig. 1 l ,Itiwilll he noted ha t the,swinging.bolster .253" is proifitledi'at eaelre'njlwith .a tl 'ansy e se pix1 60" for engagement by the ltheiidjaeentsstiap hanger. is also' rorideil"ii teriuedi-it e 'iil i' exend th'e axle l tion alone. The best resultsli'ai'eb'ee' eonne'etedyi'elding'ly to iifbolfit'r fthitiranged directlj above the ax'le'bylfiin qf btiltwis and resilient balls or spHei'es 'GQ." These balls orspheres 69 are similhr' to tliebiills or spheres 44 of Fig. 5, arid'iletspindle 66 pivoted to' the entls thereqf 1 manner. The bolts 68 are"prough registering lugs 70' a'n'd'fl 6 th and the axle' (if), and theyengfl by shap d standard extending up'iiii'rdl'j inwardl i' from the'outei'"e'n d of the hols The lower end of each strap "hanger "is 9hinged to the adjacent e'ndof the-spring, as indicated at T8, and itwill beei'i ilent tliat when" the spring 7%" is 'flattenecli' the endsthereof may 1110\8,Ullhvtll'tllyi swinging on the strap hangers. Theframe 734s ufsh i ioned against the bolster, and the liolstefis"(,llSlliUllQtl against the axle,

lt has been found in actual use that pneu matic ,-ushions'do not giijeentir'e' sa-t e tained by the ronibiiiationo'fmetallicsprings and aircushions. In the different t-(iiistrrietions shown this combination is'ret'ainetl im' tart, the air t'llls'lilolislltfl'llglllel'ly'CtiliIlJliiUd 71th the n etallusprings, and [the L'ilSll'iQn'or pneuiinitir tires are also" retained; "ff'l -l'i'hs in Fig. a'ithei'e will be three prints-of ens-liioning. naineLrat the i-ontaet withthe supporting surface of. the it-hi'i lealirtitr -n=tlie axle and theswinging 'li olster iinl" liet-ii ee'n otirrd that the #113? sn ps} Thiscan be do! desired manner, as for instance, in Fig. 9, wherein thehanger 80 has a head or ertiealbearing 81. The strap hanger 82is-connected .with the eye 83 at the lower end of the rod or bolt 84which is mounted to slide on the head or hearing and is held in adjustedposition by a set screw 85.

Or, the construction shown in Fig. 10 may be used, wherein the hanger sohas the head or bearing 87 similar to'the bearing Slof Fig. 9, andthehanger 88 is connected with .the eye of one endot a U.-shaped bolt89. The other end of the bolt-is threaded through the head or hanger.and' it will be obvious that by turning the bolt in the proper directionit may be'raised and lowcred with respect. to the hanger.

In- Fig. 11, a method of'adjusting the hangers as in Fig. 3 is shown. Inthis construction the frame 90 has a ratchet bar 91 secured to the underface thereof, at each corner. The strap hanger '92 cm'respomling to thehanger 15) of Fig. 2'} is provided with a second ratchet bar 93 whoseteeth lit the teetlnof the ratchet bar 91. The bolts aml nuts M'whichconnect the strap hai'iger to the frame pass also through the ratchetbars 91 and 93. The bar 93 and the strap hangers willhavelongitudinallyextending slots, or a longitudinally extending-series of open ings, topermit the bar 93 and the strap hanger to be adjusted with bar 91.

In Fig. 6 is shown another method of adjusting wherein the strap hangers54 are in .the' forinof endless loops, the loop being 'formed from astrap having at one end a buckle 95 through which is passed the other'end of the'strap. Many other forms of. ad-

justment-could be provided. lt,.w,.ill be imj-(lerst'ood that thedevicesniay'be used with thefs tandarrls 27, each of tongue of the buckle, andthe "or without pnemnatic tires It will be noted trom an inspection ofF1". 4 that stra )S 1100 are arran ed between the ends of-thespring 3and the bases of the straps being buckle and .at the for engaging thestraps will pass; through eyes on the end of the spring andon thestandards, to prevent side sway provided at one end with a other endwith openings *ofthe vehicle body. It will be understood that similarstraps may be arranged wherever itjis necessary or desirable to prevent.

side sway.

ing the springs to the respect to, the

springs arranged. between the body and the ])ermitting the effectivelength of the hangconnected'with the standards. and metallic springsconnected to the body and arranged between the body and the hangers andconnecting the hangers to the body. and means for connecting the'springsto the hangers.

2. In 'a in'ot'or vehicle. the combination with the axlesl'and lhebody,bolsters arranged. above the axles aml connected thcre' with,- saidbolstershavi'ng upwardly extending standards. springs a rranged betweenthe body and the bolsters. and hangersconnectstandards. said hangersbeing of flexible non-elastic material.

3. -ln a motor vehicle. the conlbinatioir with the axles and the body.said axles having uprights or standards near their ends, and flexiblehangers ol' non-elastic material connected with the standards. andmetallic springs connected to the'body and arranged between the body andthe'hangcrs and con necting the hangers to the body. means forconnecting the springs to the hangers. and means in connection with themounting of the hangers for permittingthe effective length of thehangers to be varied. 4. In a motor vehicle, 'the combination with theaxles and the body. bolsters arranged above the axles and said bolstershaving upwardly extending sta'mlards,- and bolsters, hangers connectingthe s 'irings to the standards, said hangers being of flexiblenon-elastic ]lltltUIltl.l,'tlH(l4118:1115 in connection with themounting of the-hangers for as ers to-be varied: I

.In a. motor vehicle, the combimition. withthe axler'and the body, ofbolsters airranged above the axles, said bolsters and axles ha vingupwardly extending standards,

4 tlexiblenon-elastic.ha'ngers connecting the bolsters and the standardstov the axles, said 105 hangers sustaining the springs and the bolste'r,and means in connection with thehangers permitting the efi'ective lengththereof to be varied. l

CHARLES BILLTNGTIURST.

springs arranged beneath the body, hangers

